A direct service between Bermuda and the Azores that was launched to acclaim in June 2021 will not be reinstated next summer, it has been confirmed.

Skyport, operator of LF Wade International Airport, said that Sata Azores International had halted its link between the island and Ponta Delgada.

Travellers took to social media to express disappointment while travel agency Trip Ltd said it was in talks aimed at organising charter flights in 2025.

Skyport told The Royal Gazette: “While Skyport is equally disappointed in the suspension of the Sata Azores International services from Ponta Delgada, airlines consistently evaluate and adjust routes based on strategic, financial and operational factors.

“We continue to work closely with several airlines in conjunction with the Bermuda Airport Authority and the Bermuda Tourism Authority to ensure Bermuda has adequate airlift and expanding destinations.

“Despite the loss of this service, Bermuda continues to have a record number of non-stop gateways, with additional options commencing in the summer of 2025.”

Luisa Goncalves Da Ponte, the manager for Trip Ltd, who is in charge of flights to the Azores, said the company was exploring charter flights to service the route next summer.

She said she was to hold meetings in the Azores in the new year, with details available soon.

She added: “It is going to happen. There are going to be flights next summer. I will be using Sata, the same as I use for the Christmas flights. I have a good relationship with them.”

Andrea Moniz DeSouza, the Honorary Consul of Portugal in Bermuda, said she had been fighting to keep the flight but added that the airline had been operating at a loss.

She said: “I was very disappointed to hear of the official news. I can confirm that I was advised by management at Azores Airlines [Sata] that the summer operation has been operating at a loss for the last few years and only on certain dates were the flights at their actual full capacity.”

She said the carrier was undergoing “restructuring and a possible privatisation”, adding: “On the way to Bermuda, many flights were almost empty, especially earlier in the summer.

“I was hoping that the reciprocation of driving licence issues would have been solved by the Bermuda Government entering into a reciprocation agreement, which in turn, would have helped in filling up these flights to PDL [Ponta Delgada] by Bermudians, which would have helped with some of deficit Azores Airlines has been facing with the direct flights to Bermuda.”

In recent years, Bermudian drivers have run into obstacles in the Portuguese territory and elsewhere, with their driving licences no longer accepted for car rentals.

Ms Moniz DeSouza said: “I know that Trip Ltd were in the Azores last week and had a meeting with Azores Airlines to set up charter flights for the summer.

“How many and when they would be scheduled for still remains to be seen, but I have been informed that Trip will be making an announcement about it in January.

“In the meantime, Bermudians can still enjoy the Azores by flying through Boston, New York, Toronto or London. It’s a beautiful place to visit and while it may take a little longer, not going direct until this issue is sorted, it’s definitely worth the connection.

She added: “I am remaining positive this is not the end of direct flights for the future and even the possibility of using Bermuda and PDL as a stop over to other locations in the world. I know I will continue to fight for this cause along with many others.

“I am also remaining positive that Bermuda Government will very shortly take action on the reciprocation of the driver’s licence issue, which would be of great benefit to Bermudians not just in respect to this issue but all of Europe also.”

Trevor Moniz, a former attorney-general who was honoured by legislators in the Azores for his years of public service and promotion of Bermudian heritage, said: “It is very disappointing. The Bermuda Government should closely examine whether it can assist.”

A post, purportedly made on the Facebook group The Bermuda Flyer, was shared earlier on another Facebook group, Bermuda Bargains, and attracted comments from disappointed travellers.

The copied post does not appear to be on The Bermuda Flyer group page.

It claimed that Bermuda was one of the five routes to be cancelled by the airline including Ponta Delgada to London, Terceira to Oakland and services from Porto or Madeira to North America.

The post went on to claim the airline had cited financial challenges, with the carrier cutting the number of aircraft on offer where the craft, crew, maintenance and insurance are included in the price of a charter.

Commenters suggested that other airlines should work on introducing a flight, with many highlighting the Ponta Delgada route’s popularity.

One posted: “What a shame. Hopefully another airline picks it up.”

Another wrote: “That flight was always booked solid. It makes no sense, successful route and they cancelled.”

The first in a series of summer flights between Bermuda and the Azores was welcomed to LF Wade International Airport with a shower from fire trucks on the runway.

The seasonal weekly service resumed this year for travel dates between June and September.

The connection was operated on Airbus A321 Neo equipment.

Ponta Delgada is the capital of Sao Miguel, the largest island in the Portuguese Azores archipelago.

Neither the airline nor the Government responded to questions by press time.